Ojai city officials are cracking down on at least 11 businesses that are in violation of the city's sign-restriction ordinance, sending out a final warning that demands immediate compliance to avoid hefty fines. The restrictions have infuriated several business owners who are in violation of the ordinance. They say they will be forced to spend thousands of dollars buying new signs or physically moving old ones--a big expense during recessionary times.

The Ojai City Council is pressing forward with plans for a greenbelt ordinance that would further protect farmland and open space surrounding the Ojai Valley. Council members voted unanimously this week to schedule public meetings on the proposed greenbelt. But they stopped short of asking the city attorney to draft an ordinance, saying they wanted to hear from property owners and farmers first. "My biggest concern is not wanting to rush this," said Councilwoman Sue Horgan.

The Ojai City Council is pressing forward with plans for a greenbelt ordinance that would further protect farmland and open space surrounding the Ojai Valley. Council members voted unanimously this week to schedule public meetings on the proposed greenbelt. But they stopped short of asking the city attorney to draft an ordinance, saying they wanted to hear from property owners and farmers first. "My biggest concern is not wanting to rush this," said Councilwoman Sue Horgan.

Ojai City Council members voted unanimously this week to schedule public meetings on a proposed greenbelt ordinance that would further protect farmland and open space surrounding the Ojai Valley. Under the plan, Ojai would not annex farmland or open space outside city limits. In turn, Ventura County officials are expected to pass a complementary ordinance agreeing not to build in the greenbelt area.

The city of Ojai and developers will soon face a raft of new pollution guidelines approved by the city's Planning Commission in an effort to improve air quality. The Ojai Planning Commission voted this week to add an air quality element to the city's general plan, a move that the commission hopes will encourage developers and the city to take steps to clear the air, said Bill Prince, Ojai planning and building director. "Air quality has been deteriorating for the past two decades," Prince said.

Ojai City Council members voted unanimously this week to schedule public meetings on a proposed greenbelt ordinance that would further protect farmland and open space surrounding the Ojai Valley. Under the plan, Ojai would not annex farmland or open space outside city limits. In turn, Ventura County officials are expected to pass a complementary ordinance agreeing not to build in the greenbelt area.

Ojai city officials are cracking down on at least 11 businesses that are in violation of the city's sign-restriction ordinance, sending out a final warning that demands immediate compliance to avoid hefty fines. The restrictions have infuriated several business owners who are in violation of the ordinance. They say they will be forced to spend thousands of dollars buying new signs or physically moving old ones--a big expense during recessionary times.

The city of Ojai and developers will soon face a raft of new pollution guidelines approved by the city's Planning Commission in an effort to improve air quality. The Ojai Planning Commission voted this week to add an air quality element to the city's general plan, a move that the commission hopes will encourage developers and the city to take steps to clear the air, said Bill Prince, Ojai planning and building director. "Air quality has been deteriorating for the past two decades," Prince said.